Leo Eguchi

Leo Eguchi has been described as “copiously skilled and confident” (New York Times) with performances that were "ravishing" (New Bedford Standard-Times) and "played with passion and vitality" (Boston Musical Intelligencer).

A native of Michigan, Leo has performed extensively across North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. An active soloist and chamber musician who believes in the power of music for social change, he is the co-founder and co-artistic director of both the  Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival and Sheffield Chamber Players, and performs with Shelter Music Boston, which delivers classical music to homeless shelters and substance misuse recovery centers. Additionally, Leo has recently launched a new immigration-themed solo cello project titled UNACCOMPANIED, which brings together immigrant and first-generation American composers to explore ideas and lived experiences of American-ness and displacement in today’s society.

Leo can be heard in large ensembles as the principal cellist of the New Bedford Symphony, a member of Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, New Hampshire Music Festival and the Portland Symphony Orchestras; and appears frequently with the Boston Pops and Boston Ballet.

A strong advocate of new music, Leo has worked closely with, and premiered dozens of solo and chamber works by many of today’s most important composers, including Jessie Montgomery, Gabriela Lena Frank, Osvaldo Golijov, Reena Esmail, William Bolcom, Bright Sheng, George Crumb, Lukas Foss, Joan Tower, Ken Ueno, Yehudi Wyner, and Daniel Bernard Roumain.

Other recent performing highlights include being a prize winner at the 2021 ProCello International Cello Competition, having several GRAMMY nominated recording releases from Parma recordings, multiple concerto appearances, an artist residency and solo performances in Kabul, Afghanistan, and opportunities to share the non-classical stage with the likes of Pete Townshend, Queen Latifah, Melissa Etheridge, Demi Lovato, Brian Wilson, Kelly Clarkson, Peter Gabriel, Billy Idol, Jennifer Hudson, Nick Jonas, Josh Groban, and Audra McDonald, to name a few.

Leo is on the music faculty of Boston College, and is the Assistant Conductor of the MIT Symphony Orchestra. His degrees include a BM (Cello Performance) and BS (Physics) cum laude from the University of Michigan, and MM (cello performance) from Boston University, where he received the String Department Award for Excellence. Leo, along with violinist wife Sasha Callahan and cat-obsessed daughter Freya, live in Boston and spend their non-musical time appreciating the outdoors, food, and wine.